Message Notes

(I) GREAT DISCOVERY OF THE DOCTRINE OF ADOPTION OF SONS

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,
born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” Ephesians 4:4-5

1. A Glorious Biblical Doctrine

2. A Grand Biblical Doctrine that must be carefully articulated and appreciated

a) Jesus made this possible

b) He made it possible through the redemption He provided

c) Adoption of sons was offered to all who believed in Him ( John 12 )

(II) GREAT RAMIFICATIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF ADOPTION OF SONS

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ ” Galatians 4:6

1. Because you are sons

a) Because… suggests “ramifications”

b) Because… suggests “causative factor”

2. Because we are sons

a) We have the same Spirit as Jesus

b) That same Spirit of Jesus that caused Him to speak to God as Father now indwells us ( Cf. John 5, 8, 17 )

c) That same Spirit will cause us to cry out to God would teach us to cry “Abba, Father”

3. Because we are sons

a) We are not slaves ( Galatians 4:7a )

b) We are heirs of God through Christ ( Galatians 4:7b )

4. Because we are sons

“…led by the Spirit of God…” Romans 8:14

5. Because we are sons

“…you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear…” Romans 8:15a

6. Because we are sons

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.’ Romans 8:16-17

(III) GREAT RESPONSE TO THE DOCTRINE OF THE ADOPTION OF SONS

1.To learn how to be like God our Father

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” Ephesians 5:1

2. To learn how to walk as Children of Light

“…Walk as children of light” Ephesians 5:8c

3. To delight in being Children of God

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!…” 1 John 3:1